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2 Sheets- Sheet 1.

' (No Model.)

D. A. WOODBURY.

BALANCED VALVE.

No. 334,835. Patented Jan. 26, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. A. WOODBURY.

BALANGED VALVE.

No. 334,335. Patented Jan. 23, `1333.

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Nllnirnn STATES PATENT Ormea.

DANIEL A. IVOODBURY, OF ROCHESTER, NEV YORK.

BALANcEDj VALVE.

@PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,835, dated January 26, 1886.

Application filed May S, 1885. 1SerialNo.164,808. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL A WooDBURY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Balance- Valves for Steam-Engines and other similar uses, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to improvements in that class of val vesin which the valve works under a relief-plate, or is otherwise similarly confined.

It has for its objects, first, to provide convenient means for affording extraordinary relief, when desired, yet so arranged as to be capable of a ready restoration with eXaetness and certainty to the proper measure for ordinary working; second, to combine with such provisions facilities for adjustment to compensate for the wear of the parts. first object by providing more ready and convenient mechanism for operating` the relief, with a suitable stop or a device so constructed that the return movement cannot pass a certain limit, or by'some form of guide or indicator showing` the operator when the proper limit is reached, that the movement may be carried to and not beyond the proper point. The second is secured by making the stoppingpoint adjustable.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 5 are plans; the steam-chest being shown in section. Figs. 8 and 1l are similar plans, but with the reliefplate removed. Figs. 2, 6, and 9, outside end views. Figs. 3, 7, 10, 18, 14, and 15 transverse sections on the lines m. Figs. 4 and 16 are detail drawings in elevation, showing the position and relation of the wedges to the relief plate and supports; Fig. 12, a bottom View of the steam-chest shown in Figs. 11 and 13. Fig. 17 shows the application of a toggle-joint movement; and Fig. 18, a dial or indicator in place of a positive stop.

In all of the views, A represents the steamchest; B, the relief-plate; C, the wedges or their equivalent; G, actuating-lever, and H, the actuating rod or screw.

The other letters of reference will be given as the parts are mentioned in the description.

In the construction as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and et the actuating force is applied through a lever of the second order, having its fulcrum upon the link b, and is connected by the rod I attain the' H directly to the uniting-bar of the wedges (3. The stop F is so adjusted that when the projections f f of the wedges are in contact with it, as shown by the broken lines, the relief-plate will have the proper bearing upon the valve for ordinary working. rIhe wedges are shown in the position of their extreme forward movement, forcing the relief-plate entirely away from the valve, leaving the space h between them, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This is the proper position while the engine is running with the steam shut off-as, for instance, a locomotive upon a downgrade-as it allows the air to circulate freely through and around the valve and to pass from one end ofthe cylinder to the other without forcing the valve from its seat. While a locomotive is being used for switching or other purposes, requiring it to be often reversed, the wedges should be forced forward sufficiently to completely relieve the valve from pressure, thereby allowing the reversing-lever to be thrown without shutting off the steam. In starting an engine the reliefplate should be forced away sufficiently to allow the valve to work with entire freedom, in order to avoid the danger of the valve becoming bound or subjected to undue pressure between the faces of the cylinder and relief -plate. It is liable to this in starting by reason of the unequal expansion of the parts or by the faces having become slightly rusty, or both, and thus breaking or overstraining the valve-gearing. A very small movement of the wedges is sufficient for these purposes. After the engine is fairly under way and the parts heated to their normal working temperature the relief-plate should be allowed to come down to its proper position for ordinary wear. This is one of a slight pressure upon the valve, just suflicient to keep the faces true and bright. The guide J and pin k or other convenient means may be used to hold the lever in its extreme forward or any intermediate position, but would not be sufliciently accurate for the best results as a stop for the point of adjustment for the ordinary working. The position of the stop F is adjusted by means of the screws d d. They also enable compensation to be made for wear when required. To prevent leakage, a steam-tight washer, e, is placed under the head of the ICG ' screw. The pressure upon-the wedges is sustained upon the ribs or supports a a.

In the construction as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 the autuating force is applied through a screw, the rod H being screw-threaded for that purpose, and fitted into a female screw in the yoke or bracket I. It takes hold on the wedges by the collar m, which works in a mortise in the connecting-bar. The stop consists of a stud,which arrests the movement of the lever which is here used to rotate the screw. This stop is adjustable along the slot n in the circle k.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 showa method of applying when a valve of trapezoidal form in its cross-section is used. A single wedge is employed which is located under the guide-bar o. l t relieves the pressure by forcing the valve in the direction of a wider space between the faces of the cylinder and reliefplate. The stop, as shown, consists of a setscrew working through the wall of the chest.

In the construction as shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13 a coupleof screws (or wedges in spiral form) are substituted for the one shown in Fig. 8. These screws are coupled by the rod D, so as to move simultaneously. sists of a couple of nuts working upon a thread formed on the rod D, and which abut on the bracket N.

Fig. 14 shows the application of the same arrangement of parts to a form of relief-plate which relieves the pressure upon the valve by a transverse movement upon the beveled edges of its supports.

Figs. l5 and 16 show how this invention may vbe applied to an oscillating or rotary valve and to some forms of piston-valves. For a tapering rotary or oscillating valve the movement may be applied directly to the valve, forcing it in the direction of the largest opening, as in a trapezoidal slide-valve.

Fig. l17 shows a species of toggle-joint which might be used as the moving appliance. In this arrangement the stop would consist in the The stop conextreme point of the return movement, as shown in the broken lines. The adjustment is by means of a screw-thread upon the end ofthe rod H, and secured by a set-nut.

Fig. 18 shows how an indicator might be used in place of a positive stop, by pointing out where the stop should occur, leaving the movement to be arrested by hand. The index F may be adjusted by turning it upon the rod H, to which it is secured by the set-screw p.

For large engines a steam or hydrostatic cylinder acting directly upon the wedges may be advantageously employed for the moving power.

I do not confine myself to any particular forms of construction, as the device is capable of many modifications and different combinations, and yet retaining substantially the same elements.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a balanced valve, the combination of a valve,working under a relief-plate,with the relief-plate, the latter regulated by means of wedges, mechanism,substantially as described, by which f any degree of relief may be obtained, and a suitable guide or stop for arresting the return. movement when the point of proper adjustment for ordinary working is reached, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a balanced valve, the combination of a valve with a relief-plate, and means, substantially as described, for adjusting the relief-plate to any degree that may be desired, guides or stops for arresting the movement of the adjusting device, and means, substantially as described, for adjusting the stop or guide to compensate for the wear of the parts, substantially as shown and described.

DANIEL A. VOODBURY.

Witnesses:

W. J. GREELMAN, A. M. BAssETT. 

